Delaware River Question

[Ftyer]

Hey guys, the family booked a place on the Delaware River around Milanville for a few days and I was wondering a few things ahead of time.

I’ve fished the West Branch, but never the mainstem, so I just don’t have any practical experience here, but I’m curious about two things:

1. Based on looking at maps, I’m seeing slowish-looking water there. Would that be a place I could fish off of a stand up paddleboard? I was thinking, since it’s pretty wide, that may provide an ability to better target whatever rising fish I encounter. I fish off a SUP often, so balance and general use shouldn’t be an issue unless I’m wildly miscalculating how slow this water looks.

2. I know this area and below is more marginal water and I should expect to see things like bass, shad, walleye, etc., which I’m totally fine with, but for the sake of gear/fly preparation, will I be encountering a viable enough number of trout to make targeting them a realistic choice? In other words, should I bring a dry fly rod and a whole box of bugs or focus on streamer tactics and just see what eats.

Thank you all well in advance here.

 

[CLSports]

You probably want to steer clear of Skinners Falls in that SUP for sure. The deep pool around Narrowsburg may be an option for you. Not many trout below Callicoon and depending on water temp, probably not even that far down. Other than that I cannot help much since I have not been on that section in years.

 

[pratt]

I live about 20 minutes south of Narrowsburg on the Delaware. Depending on when you're going, the smallie topwater bite may be on - if so poppers, gurglers, etc. should be in your box. If not, streamers will be key. again, depending on timing - there may be stripers biting as well (they typically follow the shad run - just started in the last week or so).

 

[Drifly]

I would jump in my car drive 25 minutes up Rt. 191 and wade. Last night here was below freezing. I just got home when I left the west branch it was down to 50d. I’m not sure I’d risk paddle board in that weather.